The Charitable Trusts work to support individual Members in times of need, hardship or distress. Everyone will have different factors contributing to a crisis. Therefore all applications will be different and outcomes will vary depending on those circumstances.
The following scenarios give a general idea of the ways in which the Trusts may be able to offer help and support to the Members of the Sussex Police Charitable Trusts.
Case Study 1
Member approaches the Charitable Trusts Adviser with a debt problem which is causing stress and affecting relationships. The Adviser works with the Member to draw up a budget, looking at income and expenditure, highlighting areas where income may be increased and expenditure decreased.
Outcome 1: The Member is able to take positive action following the advice, the debt becomes manageable and gives the member more time to concentrate on relationships.
Outcome 2: It is clear that the Members income is not enough to cover all expenditure. The Member is referred to a free debt management company and IVA specialist with the result that an IVA is set up. After 5 years the member is debt free.
Outcome 3: After speaking with a free debt management company the member is advised to set up a new bank account. This causes a cash flow problem and the Member has no funds for food and petrol. The Charitable Trusts Adviser presents an application in support of vouchers for food and petrol for which the Trusts may be able to assist with, allowing the Member the time to put the debt management recommendations in place.
Outcome 4: After speaking with the Trusts Adviser, a free debt management company and an IVA specialist, the most suitable option is deemed to be bankruptcy. The Member cannot raise the court fee and the Trusts Adviser presents an application in support of these costs which the Executive members of the Trusts may be able to assist with.
Case Study 2
Member (or their dependent family member) is diagnosed with an illness which may require long term treatment and frequent visits to hospital. The Trusts Adviser assesses the support that may be available to the Member from the Charity and benefits through the Department of Work and Pensions. For example:
- Contribution towards additional travel costs/hospital parking
- Contribution towards miscellaneous medical aids
- Contribution towards home care
- Contribution towards child care
- A weeks recuperative stay at the Bungalow
Case Study 3
A Police Pensioner is referred to the Charitable Trusts for help and support. A Trusts Liaison Officer is able to make a home visit to assess the situation.
- Facilitate access to Benefits (pension credit/attendance allowance/housing benefit/council tax benefit)
- Facilitate liaison with Social Services as appropriate
- Make contact with other agencies such as NARPO, Flint House, SSAFA, Royal British Legion as appropriate
- Where all other avenues have been exhausted an application to the Charitable Trusts may be appropriate where one off financial assistance may help.
Case Study 4
A Member approaches the Trusts as they are being made homeless. There is no deposit to come from the current accommodation and the Member is unable to raise the funds commercially. The Member has limited disposable income. The Trusts Adviser assesses the Member's needs and may be in a position to present an application for help with the rental deposit for alternative accommodation which the Executive members of the Trusts may be able to assist with.